In case you were wondering, I did finish The Last Symbol in time for book club. Three hundred pages in two days may possibly be a record for me.
The book was ok, but it did make me stop and think about something that I never thought I would. One of the main characters in the book is a scientist who studies noetics which is the science of intellect or thought. There were two parts that struck me (granted it’s a work of fiction). First, her research showed that a person’s thoughts has a measured weight. Second of all, they were studying the power of collective thought. Of course, this is the simplified version of the book. 
I’m usually skeptical about this type of theory, but there is something about it that makes me wonder.
Just this week, I might have seen the power of collective thought in action. Last week, it rained and rained for days on end. I’ll tell you what, when you are a school teacher, the rain sucks. Looking at the weather forecast for this week, Tuesday was going to be a very rainy day. Well, I logged onto Facebook and told everyone to think dry, sunny thoughts because I just couldn’t handle another rainy day at work.
Can you guess what happened Tuesday? That’s right, it did not rain until late in the afternoon. We got through all but that last 10 minutes of the day without rain, and even then it was just a light rain.
Now, it could have just been luck. The weather forecasts are often incorrect. Or it could have been that all the teachers who are my Facebook friends put their collective heads together and hoped and wished the rain away.
What do you think?
I completely believe in the power of collective thought and its relationship to reality. It's sort of how I rationalize the existence of evil. Doubt, fear, jealousy, etc. reside in each of us, the more we choose to focus on those emotions, the more they manifest in our world.
ReplyDeleteOr we can use that power to make a sunny day, too. It's up to us.
The Noetics science info was one of my favorite parts of the book! I definitely think it was divine intervention. Now, can you work your magic for me on Saturday? It's parade day, in Tampa, and there's a 60% chance of rain. :(
ReplyDeleteI do believe in the power of thought. I am glad that the rain stopped for a while so that you didn't lose it!!
ReplyDeleteThe human brain is way more powerful than we usually think, and collective thought is one of our greatest powers.
ReplyDeleteThat said, PD, the kids should play outside in the rain. I know you guys aren't used to it down there, but rain makes everything more fun, including picnics!
Teacher Tom knows not the kind of grief we would get if we let the kids play in the rain!
ReplyDeleteBut I think you should put your powers to work and solve bigger problems, like the California budget crisis and the terrible national economy. Also, I would like a substantial raise. Get busy!
Or it could have been God : ) And that is what I am going to go with!
ReplyDeleteI'm with Jason.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of the power of positive thinking! Maybe I ought to try that...being positive!
I believe in the power of collective thought. I am not a religious person, but I believe that prayer can work because it is a form of collective thought. Why not? Stranger things have happened.
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